Warsaw: NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has issued a stark warning against any aggression towards Poland or other alliance members, stating that NATO’s response would be “devastating.”
Speaking alongside Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a visit to Warsaw, Rutte emphasized that any miscalculation by Russia or any other adversary would result in severe consequences.
“If anyone thinks they can attack Poland or any NATO ally without repercussions, they are gravely mistaken. Our Alliance will respond with force, and our response will be devastating,” Rutte declared.
His remarks come at a time when trust within NATO is under strain, particularly amid shifting U.S. security priorities under President Donald Trump, which have increasingly focused on Asia and domestic concerns.
Rutte also called for greater European unity in bolstering defense capabilities, stressing that “this is not the time for Europe or North America to act alone. The global security challenges we face are too significant for any of us to tackle individually.”
Poland, which has been increasing its military spending in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine and rising security threats from Russia, received praise from the NATO chief. Warsaw currently allocates over 4% of its GDP to defense, with plans to increase spending to 5% by 2025.
Prime Minister Tusk highlighted Poland’s commitment to European and NATO security, particularly through the Shield East initiative. Developed in response to Russian aggression, the project aims to strengthen Poland’s eastern border and overall defense readiness.
“We fully understand our responsibility—not only for Poland’s security but also for that of our European and NATO partners,” Tusk stated, adding that Poland remains among the most determined members of the alliance when it comes to defense investments.
